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Throughout the year I've been sent all manner of products. Some get left un-reviewed for a variety of reasons - they miss their slot, something didn't work, they were going to be part of a group test or feature that never happened... whatever.

But there are some great products here. ANd they're all still current. In many cases I've been living with them for months and now know what they're really like. Prices have dropped in many cases too which adjusts the value proposition. Here goes...

WD LiveWire ($150ish)

Getting a network to work over a property's powerlines is great in theory but the realities are hit and miss. Every home's wiring is different so performance is unpredictable. On top of this, experience tells me that many units simply drop their connection for no reason and fixing that (or explaining to someone how to fix it over the phone) - by unplugging both, waiting a bit, plugging them back in and hoping for the best - is a pain. WD's Livewire has proved incredibly reliable over the past months for me. It also has four ports at each end and doesn't come with a clunky plug which will struggle to fit in plug sockets located close to the floor. The connection is encrypted so neighbours sharing the same wiring can't hack you. I've tried many since, but WD's is the best at maintaining a connection.9/10

aXbo sleep phase alarm clock (from $180)

The Axbo is a high-concept, funky-looking alarm clock with several differences. It comes with a sensor which attaches to a sweatband worn on the wrist which senses movement. It will then wake you up when you're not in a deep sleep phase - only when you're in a light sleep phase - when you're within half an hour of your designated alarm time. It will do so by gently increasing the volume of a soothing noise like waves or crickets chirping. It works for couples too and both can have their own separate alarm times. The soothing nature of the wakeup means that both people won't be jarred awake by an alarm-from-hell dragging you out of a dream and leaving you feeling wrecked all day. In practice it worked very well. The clock also has a battery and lasts for weeks on a single charge. We liked the 'powernap' setting too: within 30 minutes you'll wake properly refreshed. However, the sweatbands aren't great for hot Australian nights and they can make 'hot sleepers' overheat. Beyond that, it's great. But it's very expensive.8/10

Microsoft Touch Mouse ($65ish)

Another high-concept product, Microsoft's TouchMouse is wireless and works with Windows 7 and doesn't have any visible buttons. It is covered with tiny sensors and tracks your finger movements over the top of it. As such it provides gesture support and registers up to three fingers - useful for swooshing around screens, pictures and documents as well as minimizing windows and the like. The thing with mouses like this is that you have to live with them for a while as they inevitably feel weird at first. After a week, I could take no more. The gentlest brush saw the cursor drop down somewhere else on the screen - that happened a lot and was infuriating. I clearly didn't have the dexterity to move two or three fingers in smooth movements anywhere. Sweaty fingers (don't ask) also play havoc with smooth motion. That's not to say I wasn't impressed with the technology. If you can handle the control afforded by the TouchMouse it's a powerful tool. If you're fat-fingered like me, forget it.2/10 or 8/10 depending on your finger dexterity

Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse ($45 ish)

Dropping down from the top-end Touch Mouse is the Explorer. This looks and handles more like a regular mouse. But instead of a scrollwheel-cum-third-button there's a touch-sensitive plate. Not only does this register vertical and horizontal scroll movements, a 'fake vibrating ratchet' makes it feel like it clicks when you scroll - giving you more control. I've been using it for work for months. It's not a massive improvement over a regular scroll mouse but I use lateral scrolling more than I usually do without it. As with its expensive relative, the tiny USB Bluetooth dongle slots in the bottom for storage and there's an on/off switch for battery saving. Still, it's expensive for a mouse and you can get good, high-spec, gaming models for less. Nonetheless, this makes a good travel companion for laptop users and is probably the top choice for mobile workers.8/10

500GB Seagate GoFlex Satellite ($330ish)

This 500GB portable hard disk has a USB port for data transfers and battery charging (5-hours playback, 25-hours standby). The whole point, however, is to allow mobile devices to connect via WiFi and stream media from it. It acts as its own hotspot - you can't attach it to a network yet. It supports up to three connections and traffic is one way only. Dedicated iOS apps make streaming photos and videos a breeze, but any device can access it just by opening a web browser. Format support depends entirely on the device connecting to it. It worked well when we tested it - even simulating watching a movie in a toilet two rooms across (not that anyone would ever do such a thing) - and it worked. Note, though, that performance will fluctuate depending on the location it's being used. It will be handy for some - think travelling with kids. But power users will find the one-way traffic limiting. It's pricey at $340 but Dick Smith is currently selling it for $220 which gives it an extra point for value. Otherwise it gets...6.5/10

Logitech Keyboard by ZAGG case for iPad 2 ($95ish)

This Bluetooth keyboard is surrounded by a rim which allows your iPad to use it as a cover when travelling. The problem is, although it's a tight fit, after carrying it around in my bag a lot, on several occasions I found the sharp(ish) edges scraping on the screen of my iPad because the two had come apart. No harm done - but I feel fortunate. You can prop the iPad up at a comfy angle just above the keys. This works well, but there have been complaints of iPads falling out when on uneven surfaces and the screen getting cracked. But that's all the bad points out the way. Aside from securing it to the device, the keyboard is a great enhancement for typing on an iPad. The battery lasts for weeks (charges via USB) but you must remember to turn it off after use. This is now a regular travel companion for me, but I keep the keyboard separate and have started to use the iPad's magnetic flip cover again. There's room for improvement, but it's still a good buy if you're careful.7/10

Philips Lumea hair removal system ($1200ish)

At a recent(ish) Christmas product launch, Philips stole the show with its high-tech, innovative white goods. The product with the most interest? The Lumea hair removal gun. It transpires that just about everyone has some hair they wish wasn't there, and the idea of having a gun to simply remove it, is some kind of dream. But it's rarely that simple. Areas of usage have to be shaved/waxed first and then treatment applied once every fortnight for many months. If it's in tricky to reach places you'll need a very understanding partner. It's not the most comfortable experience either - a rapid blast of high heat. Some skin types can't handle it - think pale-skinned red-heads and Nubian types - but most inbetween-skins are OK (although some can withstand higher power settings than others). It's easily the most simple-to-use home device on the market - it's like pressing a hairdryer up to your skin and pulling a trigger. Pressure sensors ensure it can only fire at point blank range. But it's still no quick fix and represents one helluva investment. If you've got a shed full of exercise equipment bought from infomercials, I can see this joining them down the line. Only buy this if you (and a trusted partner) are dedicated - if you are, it's still massively cheaper than professional treatments.6.5/10

Philips SensoTouch 3D ($430ish)

At launch this was a $600 electric razor that was quoted as the James Bond of shavers with 3D technology and came with a docking cradle that resembled Darth Vader's 'recharging' chamber. I had to try it. I think it's the dream of many wet shavers (like me) to find an electric model that works just as well. The three foils on this one are all very high quality and individually sprung to move independently of each other (that's the 3D). This is handy if you have pointy bitts on your face or neck (Adam's apple or chin for instance) which can get nicked by regular shavers. It's completely waterproof (great for showers) and the charge can last for weeks depending on how often you use it. A small, in-built clipper can also be extended for fine areas. I so wanted this to transform my life, but, after many attempts, it just didn't grab me. I've tried high-tech electric shavers before, and this is easily the best, but I still found myself finishing off with a regular wet razor every time. It's undeniably high-quality, and if you're a regular electric shaver user then you can aspire to this. A recent $200 price drop makes it borderline-affordable too. But it's not for everyone.7.5/10

Philips Sonicare Flexcare Power Toothbrush (from $150ish)

I've used mechanical toothbrushes before but they've a tendancy to grind at your gums if you're in a rush. However, once again, Philips impressed the heck out of us with the specs behind its Sonicare model. Rather than a normal mechanical motor oscillating a brush head, the Sonicare ultrasonic technology produces up to 31,000 brush strokes per minute. The difference is huge. Teeth really do feel cleaner and gums healthier. A full brush takes less time and damage caused by excess abrasion is minimized. It's expensive though and for $30 more comes with a small UV chamber which kills bacteria. Two different heads are included, but more would be nice considering the cost. You can't put a price on your teeth and using this could well save on expensive trips to the dentist. Finally, it's worth noting that my test 9yr old could also be left alone to brush his teeth properly with this - that will be worth the price for many parents alone. A great product that pretty much everyone should consider.9/10

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